Hydrogen-powered 3-wheeler makes debut at Delhi Auto Expo

New Delhi, Jan 9 (PTI) The world's first hydrogen-powered three-wheeler, 'HyAlfa', was showcased at the 11th Auto Expo here today. Part of a development project dubbed 'DelHy 3w', a fleet of 15 HyAlfa three-wheelers will run on an experimental basis at Pragati Maidan, the venue of the Auto Expo, where a hydrogen refuelling station has also been set up. The HyAlfa has been developed under a joint project by UNIDO's International Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technologies (ICHET), Indian auto major Mahindra & Mahindra and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, with support from India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. "The aim of this project is to convert vehicles so that they can carry and use hydrogen -- a carbon-free fuel -- and thus remove all pollutants," Mahindra & Mahindra President (Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors) Pawan Goenka told reporters here. He said the vehicle is not yet ready for commercial production and further fine-tuning will be required before moving in that direction. "Moreover, we also have to look at commercial viability of running a hydrogen-powered three-wheeler as the cost of hydrogen will be around Rs 250 per kg, which is not affordable at all," he said. (Rupees 52.50 = US$ 1). Asked about the possible price of HyAlfa, he said, "When the product is on mass production, it will cost Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 more than a CNG three-wheeler." On an average, a CNG three-wheeler costs close to Rs 200,000. Commenting on the development, UNIDO-ICHET Managing Director Mustafa Hatipoglu said the DelHy 3W projects aims to demonstrate hydrogen technologies developed by Indian partners for the Indian transport sector. Project coordinator IIT-Delhi Professor L M Das said HyAlfa marks a journey of 20 years from "laboratory to land". PTI Caption for pic: Pawan Goenka, President - Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra, at the launch of world's first hydrogen-powered three-wheeler, 'HyAlfa', at 11th Auto Expo 2012 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on Monday. PTI Photo